A resurfaced clip of Anne Robinson brutally ripping into a contestant on The Weakest Link has left people wincing.
The presenter was known for tearing into people on the quiz show, but one interaction floating about on social media is far more horrible than it is funny.
See for yourself here:
The 78-year-old hosted The Weakest Link from 2000 to 2012, and was known for her cutting remarks and harsh demeanour, but this persona strayed to a dark place in one episode.
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In the clip, Robinson mocked a single mum, joking that her sons were on ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) and that she was probably claiming benefits.
In the clip, Robinson is seen addressing contestant Ann between rounds - and she didn't hold back.
"So what do you do, Ann?" asked the host.
Ann replied: "I'm a full-time single mum to three boys."
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Robinson said: "Three great boys, yeah. So how many ASBOs?"
Evidently nervous, Ann didn't appear to hear the question, and asked Robinson to repeat it.
"How many of your three boys have got tags on their ankles?" asked the presenter.
Ann brushed off the barbed query, replying that none of her lads have been in trouble.
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Robinson then moved onto Ann's financial state, asking if she was on benefits.
"I knew... I was waiting for this," Ann said. "I'm doing a 24/7 job, really... I am on benefits, yes."
The host then had a poke around in Ann's marital affairs, clearly knowing there was more to the story.
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"And what happened to the husband?" she inquired.
"Well, I've had two husbands, to be honest," Ann replied. "I think I wore them both out."
Robinson then asked: "You didn't go gay, did you?"
To which Ann said: "No, but sometimes, living with three boys, I have thought there's a lot to be said about going lesbian."
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So just Ann's love life, children and financial affairs attacked on the daytime TV show there.
Understandably, a lot of people did not think this particular exchange had aged very well.
Commenting on the video, one viewer said: "Utterly disgraceful. Such contempt for working class people."
Another wrote: "Absolutely disgusting. I don't even know where to start. From the classism to the homophobia."
"I appreciate that this was scripted. It's nasty, degrading and abhorrent. The lady may have known what questions were about to be asked. However it pushes a very disturbing narrative, that has been fed insidiously to us. Whether we're conscious of it or it or not," commented a third.
Topics: TV and Film
Jake Massey